Japan is undoubtedly one of the largest motorcycle countries on the globe. Countless drivers born on the archipelago have triumphed in all categories, including speed. The time has come to draw up a small ranking, in order to rehash good memories and above all pay homage to a culture,
personalities apart.
like any top 10, it is first a matter of establishing the criteria. Intrinsic talent is considered the same as pure speed, but is not the most important factor for selection. As with the top 10 French drivers to Honda drivers , it is more about 'greatness', the mark that a driver left in the world of Grands Prix.
Before getting to the heart of the matter, let's take a look at the honorable mentions: those drivers who could not claim the top 10 but who were not far from it. First, Noriyuki Haga. He is undoubtedly one of the best Japanese of all time but focused instead on Superbike throughout his career, finishing third in the championship four times and triple runner-up. Let us still note his only career podium, achieved during his very first race, at Suzuka in 1998.
Hiroshi Aoyama, as well as Youichi Ui, were great specialists in small categories. The first was also titled 250cc world champion in 2009, which the second, double vice-world champion in 2000 and 2001 in 125cc, did not succeed in doing. Two magnificent and memorable drivers who unfortunately cannot make it into the top 10.
Precursor, Naomi Taniguchi, is not one of the 10 selected. However, he is the first Japanese to have set foot on the world circuits, entered by Honda au
Tourist trophy 1959. Impossible to omit
Shoya Tomizawa, who was promised a bright future before his tragic disappearance at the 2010 San Marino Grand Prix. Succinctly, let us also mention Katsuyuki Nakasuga, Makoto Tamada,
Shinya Nakano, Noboru Ueda,
Takaaki Nakagami and Takuma Aoki, from a family that we will perhaps talk about again. Listing them all would be impossible: let's move on to the ranking with places no. 10 and no. 9.
No. 10: Kazuto Sakata
Certainly, he is not the best known among Japanese people. Some mentioned above are even much more renowned than him but, however, the list tends to say the opposite. Arriving in the world in 1991, he is part of this golden generation playing in the small categories. The 125cc quickly succeeded: in 1993, he had one of the most astonishing seasons in history... finishing second. This year he only finished third once and won only two races. Of course, he gave up in Catalonia. All other rounds of the season were finished in second place.
Ten second places in fourteen races (!). German
Dirk Raudies, also forgotten, was impregnable. Sakata won the title the following year, a great proof of will and determination. He even allowed himself to regain the title in 1998 before retiring from sports the following year. A short but dense career which gives him a well-deserved place in this top 10.
Sakata at Suzuka in 1994. Photo: Rikita.
N ° 9: Tetsuya Harada
Much better known than his previously mentioned compatriot, the career of Tetsuya is very different. After 12 years, he knew the 125cc but was titled in the quarter-liter in the 1993 financial year. Harada was a Yamaha rider at heart and in the heart. The firm's 250cc program depended enormously on the latter, who consequently became one of the best specialists in the category.
The passage to Aprilia in 1997 was decisive for the rest of his career. First of all, he didn't stop winning – he had 14 successes in the intermediate category – and even moved up to 500cc with the Italians. The latter did not have the most competitive bike, but Harada had an honorable 1999 season with two podiums. His 250cc title and his experience with the big guys allows him to pass Sakata, but the lack of overall success and the short career in 500cc cannot take him higher in the ranking.
That's all. For now ! See you tomorrow for the rest of this ranking, where places 8 and 7 will be revealed.
Cover photo: Dali3 abd.
